See Smoke Around Northern California this Week? Here’s Why.

See smoke around Northern California this week? That’s all because of a planned operation aimed at reducing fuels throughout areas of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

The National Forest Service is gearing up for a week of pile burning, targeting woody debris known as “slash” to reduce hazardous fuels. These slash piles are remnants left behind after mechanical thinning or tree cutting operations in the forest. Slash piles can vary in size, ranging from 6 feet by 6 feet by 6 feet for manually stacked piles to a minimum of 12 feet by 12 feet by 12 feet for those created by machinery. Typically, these piles need to dry out for one to two years before they are suitable for burning.

Over the upcoming week, pile burning operations are slated to take place throughout the forest, with specific locations designated as follows:

1. Mt. Shasta City Area: Situated 1 to 3 miles east of the town of Mt. Shasta City, this area may see pile burning activities covering up to four acres of piles.

2. Mt. Shasta City and Mt. Shasta Ski Park: Located 3 miles east of the town of Mt. Shasta City, just south of Mt. Shasta Ski Park, this region could witness pile burning efforts spanning up to 10 acres of piles.

3. Hyampom Area: In the general vicinity of Underwood Mountain (4N25 road), the Hyampom area is set for pile burning, potentially encompassing an extensive 102 acres of piles.

4. Weaverville Area: Positioned 1 to 2 miles north of Weaverville, this area may experience pile burning activities covering up to 8 acres of piles.

These proactive measures are part of the forest’s strategy to reduce the threat of wildfires by removing excess fuel sources. Pile burning operations are carefully conducted to ensure safety and minimize the risk of uncontrolled fires. By reducing hazardous fuels through these efforts, the forest aims to enhance overall fire resilience and protect both its ecosystems and surrounding communities.